Warning: some viewers find the footage distressing

TWELVE people have been injured after burning fuel sprayed into the crowd at a drag racing event in central Australia.

Footage of the incident was uploaded to Facebook. It shows a vehicle demonstrating a burnout before flames fly from the car and through a wire fence towards spectators, who scramble to get away.

Eleven of the 12 people treated were taken to hospital, with one man suffering critical injuries. He was flown to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with burns to about 20% of his body, the Royal Flying Doctor Service said. Eight people, including the man’s 19-year-old son, remained in a stable condition in hospital on Monday. Two patients had been released.

The incident occurred at about 3.45pm during the Red CentreNATS event at Alice Springs Inland Dragway. The event organisers said they cancelled the event in light of safety concerns. Police are investigating the incident, according to the BBC.

“This is a distressing situation however all patients are receiving the care they need,” Red CentreNATS said in a statement.

Last year, about 14,000 motoring enthusiasts attended the event billed as the “Ultimate Festival of Wheels”.